Wearable accessory with phased array antenna system

ABSTRACT

An accessory for an electronic device includes: a watch comprising a housing and a band connected to the housing; at least one phased array antenna on the watch, the at least one phased array antenna comprising an array of antenna elements that are configured to form a beam in a determined direction, the at least one phased array antenna being configured to communicate wirelessly with an external device; a local communication system in the watch, the local communication system configured to communicate locally with the electronic device; and a battery in the watch, the battery operatively connected to each of the at least one phased array antenna and the local communication system.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to wireless communicationsystems and, more particularly, to a wearable accessory having a phasedarray antenna system that is used for wireless communication on behalfof a mobile device.

Phase shifters are a component of phased array antenna systems which areused to directionally steer radio frequency (RF) beams for electroniccommunications or radar. A phased array antenna is a group of antennasin which the relative phases of the respective signals feeding theantennas are varied in such a way that the effective radiation patternof the array is reinforced in a desired direction and suppressed inundesired directions. The relative amplitudes of, and constructive anddestructive interference effects among, the signals radiated by theindividual antennas determine the effective radiation pattern of thearray. By controlling the radiation pattern through the constructive anddestructive superposition of signals from the different antennas in thearray, phased array antennas electronically steer the directionality ofthe antenna system, referred to as beam forming or beam steering. Insuch systems, the direction of the radiation (i.e., the beam) can bechanged by manipulating the phase of the signal fed into each individualantenna of the array, e.g., using a phase shifter.

Generally speaking, a phased array antenna can be characterized as anactive beam steering system. Active beam steering systems have activelytunable phase shifters at each individual antenna element to dynamicallychange the relative phase among the elements and, thus, are capable ofchanging the direction of the beam plural times. Tunable transmissionline (t-line) phase shifters are one way of implementing such activelytunable phase shifters. Tunable t-line phase shifters typically employactive elements, such as switches, that change the state of an elementwithin the phase shifter to change the phase of the signal that ispassing through the phase shifter.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect of the invention, there is an accessory for anelectronic device, the accessory including: a watch comprising a housingand a band connected to the housing; at least one phased array antennaon the watch, the at least one phased array antenna comprising an arrayof antenna elements that are configured to form a beam in a determineddirection, the at least one phased array antenna being configured tocommunicate wirelessly with an external device; a local communicationsystem in the watch, the local communication system configured tocommunicate locally with the electronic device; and a battery in thewatch, the battery operatively connected to each of the at least onephased array antenna and the local communication system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in the detailed description whichfollows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way ofnon-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary phased array antenna system that may be usedwith aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an arrangement of components within thephased array antenna system.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show an exemplary accessory in accordance with aspectsof the invention.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary system in accordance with aspects of theinvention.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary system in accordance with aspects of theinvention.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method in accordance withaspects of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method in accordance withaspects of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method in accordance withaspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates generally to wireless communicationsystems and, more particularly, to a wearable accessory having a phasedarray antenna system that is used for wireless communication on behalfof a mobile device. The phased array antenna system comprises an arrayof antenna elements that are configured to form a beam in a determineddirection. In embodiments, the accessory is wired or wirelesslyconnected to a mobile device and the phased array antenna system of theaccessory is used to perform wireless communication for the mobiledevice.

In embodiments, the accessory comprises a watch (e.g., a smartwatch)that is configured to be worn or carried by a user. Due to thepositioning of the watch on the body of a user in combination with thewatch having different surfaces facing in plural different directionswhen the watch is worn by the user, the watch is in an optimal place foran antenna array. A watch having plural different phased array antennason different surfaces facing in plural different directions is ideal forsteering beams to different cell tower locations in crowded urbanenvironments, where the relative position of the block-level millimeterwave towers may change rapidly as a user walks or goes around a corner.For example, during a first portion of a walk, the user's handheldelectronic device might have the best line of sight to an externaldevice (e.g., a base station antenna), and during a second portion ofthe same walk the same handheld electronic device might be obstructedfrom the external device while an antenna on the watch might have aclear line of sight to the external device.

According to aspects of the invention, a system determines which one ofplural phased array antennas (including antennas on both the accessoryand an electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone)) has a best transmissionperformance to an external device (e.g., a base station antenna), andthe system uses the determined one of the antennas to communicate withthe external device. In embodiments, while using the determined one ofthe antennas to communicate with the external device, the system doesnot use other ones of the antennas to communicate with the externaldevice. In embodiments, the system frequently updates this determinationand can use a different antenna to communicate with the external devicebased on an updated determination of an optimum (best) antenna.

According to further aspects of the invention, the system combinessignal strength from plural different ones of the plural phased arrayantennas (including antennas on both the accessory and the electronicdevice) with determined data signal delay and signal phase tuning forconstructive interference at an external device (e.g., a base stationantenna). In embodiments, the system uses a test process in which two ofthe antennas transmit a test signal to the external device, and one ofthe transmitting antennas iteratively applies a phase offset whiletransmitting the test signal. In embodiments, the external devicedetermines an optimum phase offset (from the plural iterated values)that produces the maximized combined test signal from both antennas.After determining the optimum phase offset that produces the maximizedcombined test signal, the system uses a test digital signal to determinean optimum relative time delay between the signals transmitted by thetwo antennas.

Beam steering advantageously increases the signal to noise ratio (SNR)of the antenna system up to an order of magnitude or more compared toantenna systems that do not employ beam steering. An increased SNRreduces the amount of power used by the antenna system to transmit theradiation to a receiving antenna, and also permits a higher bandwidth incommunication. As a result, beam steering systems have become a focus ofthe next-generation wireless communication systems including 5G. Forexample, it is envisioned that 5G systems will utilize fixed-locationbase stations (e.g., antennas) that steer beams toward users' wirelessdevices (e.g., smartphones, etc.) on an as-needed basis.

However, many existing devices are not constructed to communicate in 5G.For example, some implementations of 5G are envisioned to operate atfrequencies between 24 GHz and 39 GHz, and to use antennas that employbeam steering. Many existing devices do not contain antenna circuitrythat operates between 27 GHz and 39 GHz. For example, many existingdevices (e.g., smartphones and tablet computers) are specificallydesigned to communicate at 3G frequencies (e.g., between 850 MHz and2100 MHz) and/or 4G frequencies (e.g., between 600 MHz and 5200 MHz).And some existing mobile devices do not have cellular capability at all,and instead are limited to WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. These existing devicesalso do not contain antennas that are capable of beam steering. As aresult of not being capable of operating at some anticipated 5Gfrequencies and not being capable of beam steering, these existingdevices will not enjoy the benefits of 5G communication.

Some handheld mobile devices (e.g., phones) have phased array antennasthat employ beam steering. However, these devices are prone to sufferfrom signal attention problems. Specifically, there is a significantimpact in communication performance when a user's hand that holds amobile device physically covers (e.g., obstructs) the phased arrayantenna array of the mobile device. The effective loss of antennaelements that are covered by a user's hand(s) leads to a lessening ofperformance of the phased-array antenna system in the form of reducedbeam-steering accuracy and decreased signal-to-noise ratio.

Aspects of the invention address these shortcomings by providing awearable accessory that connects to an existing device, where theaccessory includes circuitry that is configured for 5G communication. Inembodiments, the accessory includes millimeter wave circuitry and atleast one phased array antenna configured for beam steering. In thisway, the accessory may communicate wirelessly with external devicesusing 5G communication. In embodiments, the circuitry of the accessoryis operatively connected to the circuitry of the device via wired orwireless connection between the accessory and the device. In thismanner, the antenna(s) in the accessory can function as antenna(s) forthe device, thus effectively converting a non-5G capable device into a5G capable device.

For handheld mobile devices that already include a phased array antenna,the accessory in accordance with aspects of the invention can functionas an additional or alternative phased array antenna for the device. Inthis configuration, aspects of the invention include determining whichof the available phased array antennas currently has a best performance(e.g., best SNR, best line of sight to an external antenna, etc.), andusing that determined phased array antenna to communicate with anexternal device.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary phased array antenna system that may be usedwith aspects of the invention. In the example shown in FIG. 1, thephased array antenna system 10 comprises a 4x4 array of antenna elements15-1, 15-2, . . . , 15-i included in a coin-shaped sensor 20. In thisexample “i” equals sixteen; however, the number of antenna elementsshown in FIG. 1 is not intended to be limiting, and the phased arrayantenna system 10 may have a different number of antenna elements.Similarly, the implementation in the coin-shaped sensor 20 is only forillustrative purposes, and the phased array antenna system 10 may beimplemented in different structures.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the arrow A represents a direction of thebeam that is formed by the phased array antenna system 10 usingconstructive and destructive superposition of signals from the antennaelements 15-1, 15-2, . . . , 15-i using beam steering principles. Angleθ represents the polar angle and angle y represents the azimuth angle ofthe direction of the arrow A relative to a frame of reference 25 definedwith respect to the phased array antenna system 10.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an arrangement of components within thephased array antenna system 10 in accordance with aspects of theinvention. In embodiments, a respective phase shifter PS-1, PS-2, . . ., PS-i and amplifier A-1, A-2, . . . , A-i are connected to eachrespective one of the antenna elements 15-1, 15-2, . . . , 15-i. Inparticular embodiments, the respective phase shifter PS-1, PS-2, . . . ,PS-i and amplifier A-1, A-2, . . . , A-i are connected in seriesupstream of the respective one of the antenna elements 15-1, 15-2, . . ., 15-i as shown in FIG. 2. In implementations, a respective transmissionsignal is provided to each of the phase shifters PS-1, PS-2, . . . ,PS-i, e.g., from a power splitter 30 such as a Wilkinson power divider.A respective phase shifter (e.g., PS-i) shifts the phase by a predefinedamount, the amplifier (A-i) amplifies the phase shifted signal, and theantenna element (15-i) transmits the amplified and phase shifted signal.

Phase shifter elements in a single phase shifter PS-i can be controlledto provide a delay state, i.e., to impart a predefined phase shift onthe signal passing through the phase shifter elements. In this manner,each one of the phase shifters PS-1, PS-2, . . . , PS-i can beindividually configured, by appropriately controlling its phase shifterelements to achieve a desired phase shift for the signal that isprovided to its associated antenna element, such that the combination ofsignals emitted by the respective antenna elements 15-1, 15-2, . . . ,15-i forms a beam in a desired direction A as shown in FIG. 1. Asdescribed herein, the desired direction A may be determined based onsignals received from an external device.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, a control circuit 35 is configuredto determine a desired direction for the beam emitted by the phasedarray antenna system 10, and to control the elements of the phased arrayantenna system 10 to form the beam in the determined desired direction.In operation, based on external signals (e.g., incoming radiation)received by the antenna elements antenna elements 15-1, 15-2, . . . ,15-i, the control circuit 35 automatically determines a desireddirection of the phased array antenna system 10 as defined by particulara combination of values of angles θ and φ. Based on determining thedesired direction of the phased array antenna system 10, the controlcircuit 35 controls the phase shifters PS-1, PS-2, . . . , PS-i suchthat the combination of signals emitted by the respective antennaelements 15-1, 15-2, . . . , 15-i forms a beam (e.g., outgoingradiation) in the desired direction. Such automatic determination of adirection of a phased array antenna system is sometimes referred to as“self-installation” and/or “tracking” and is described, for example, inUnited States Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0089434, publishedMar. 21, 2019, the contents of which are expressly incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show one exemplary system that may be used as a phasedarray antenna system 10 in accordance with aspects of the invention.Implementations of the invention are not limited to what is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, however, and other conventional or later-developed activebeam steering systems may be used in embodiments.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show an example of a wearable accessory 120 inaccordance with aspects of the invention. In the example shown in FIGS.3A and 3B, the accessory 120 comprises a watch (e.g., a smartwatch) thatis configured to be worn or carried by a user. A typical implementationinvolves a user wearing the watch on their arm 100 as shown in FIG. 3B,although other implementations are contemplated within the scope of thisdisclosure. In embodiments, the watch includes a watch body 102 and awatch band 104. The watch and watch body 102 are examples of wearableelectronic devices. The watch body 102 may include a housing 106. Thehousing 106 may include one or more housing members. A singular housingmember is shown in FIG. 1. The housing 106 may be metallic, plastic,ceramic, or crystalline, or may include a combination of such materials,or may include other materials.

A cover 108 may be mounted to the housing 106 on a front side of thewatch body 102 (i.e., facing away from a user's skin), as shown inFIG. 1. The cover 108 may protect a display within the housing 106 (andin some cases, the display may be mounted partly or wholly to the cover108). The display may be viewable by a user through the cover 108. Insome cases, the cover 108 may be part of a display stack, which displaystack may include a touch sensing or force sensing capability. Thedisplay may be configured to depict a graphical output of the watch, anda user may interact with the graphical output (e.g., using a finger,stylus, crown 110, or button 112). As one example, the user may select(or otherwise interact with) a graphic, icon, or the like presented onthe display. For example, the user may interact with a graphic on thedisplay by touching or pressing on the display at the location of thegraphic. The cover 108 may be considered separate from the housing 106,or alternatively, the cover 108 may be considered a component (e.g., ahousing member) of the housing 106. In some examples, the cover 108 maybe a crystal, such as a sapphire crystal. The cover 108 mayalternatively be formed of glass, plastic, or another material (ormaterials) that is transmissive to at least one wavelength of light(e.g., visible light).

The watch body 102 may include at least one input device or selectiondevice, such as a crown assembly, scroll wheel, knob, dial, button, orthe like, which input device may be operated by a user of the watch. Forexample, the housing 106 may include an aperture through which a shaftextends. A crown 110 may be attached to the shaft, and may be accessibleto a user exterior to the housing 106. The crown 110 may be manipulatedby a user to rotate or translate the shaft. The shaft may bemechanically, electrically, magnetically, and/or optically coupled tocomponents within the housing 106 as one example. A user's manipulationof the crown 110 and shaft may be used, in turn, to manipulate or selectvarious elements displayed on the display, to adjust a volume of aspeaker, to turn the watch on or off, and so on. The housing 106 mayalso include an aperture through which a button 112 protrudes.

The housing 106 may include structures for attaching the watch band 104to the watch body 102. In some cases, the structures may includeelongate recesses or apertures through which ends of the watch band 104may be inserted and attached to the watch body 102. In other cases (notshown), the structures may include indents (e.g., dimples ordepressions) in the housing 106, which indents may receive ends ofspring pins that are attached to or threaded through ends of a watchband to attach the watch band to the watch body.

The watch band 104 may be used to secure the watch to a user, anotherdevice, a retaining mechanism, and so on.

In some examples, the watch may lack the cover 108, the display, thecrown 110, or the button 112. For example, the watch may include anaudio input or output interface, a touch input interface, a haptic(force) input or output interface, or other input or output interfacethat does not require the display, crown 110, or button 112. The watchmay also include the afore-mentioned input or output interfaces inaddition to the display, crown 110, or button 112. When the watch lacksthe display, the front side of the watch may be covered by the cover108, or by a metallic or other type of housing member.

In some embodiments, the cover 108 may include any transparent,semi-transparent, or translucent surface made out of glass, acrystalline material (such as sapphire or zirconia), plastic, or thelike, has and may have a crystal or non-crystalline atomic structure.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and in accordance with aspects of theinvention, the accessory 120 includes at least one phased array antenna130 a configured to communicate wirelessly with an external device usingbeam steering. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the accessory 120 mayinclude plural phased array antennas 130 a-n where “n” is any desiredinteger greater than one.

In the example of the watch shown in FIG. 3A, a first phased arrayantenna 130 a is arranged at a first surface of the housing 106, asecond phased array antenna 130 b is arranged at a second surface of thehousing 106, a third phased array antenna 130 c is arranged at a firstportion of the watch band 104, and a fourth phased array antenna 130 bis arranged at a second portion of the watch band 104, with the phasedarray antennas 130 a-n positioned in such a manner that they send andreceive signals that radiate outward from their location on the watch.In embodiments, the phased array antennas 130 a-n are arranged at or ondifferent surfaces of the watch that face different directions when thewatch is worn in the arm 100 of (or otherwise carried by) the user. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first phased array antenna 130 a is ona first surface of the housing 106 that faces in a first direction andthe second phased array antenna 130 b is on a second surface of thehousing 106 that faces in a second direction that is different thanfirst direction. In this particular example, the first surface of thehousing 106 and the second surface of the housing 106 are substantiallyperpendicular relative to one another, such that the first direction ofthe first phased array antenna 130 a and the second direction of thesecond phased array antenna 130 b are about 90° apart. By positioningdifferent phased array antennas 130 a-n on surfaces facing in differentdirections, there is an increased likelihood that, at any given time asa user is walking through an environment, at least one of the phasedarray antennas 130 a-n will have a direct line of sight to an externaldevice with which to communicate wirelessly.

Still referring to FIG. 3A, in embodiments the watch may include one ormore phased array antennas incorporated in the watch band 104. Whenplural phased array antennas incorporated in the watch band 104, theymay be located such that they face in different directions relative toone another. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, phased array antenna 130c and phased array antenna 130 n are located on the watch band 104 suchthat they face in different outward directions (relative the watch band104) when the watch is worn on the arm of the user. In embodiments, thewatch may include one or more phased array antennas only on the housing106, one or more phased array antennas only on the watch band 104, or acombination of one or more phased array antennas on the housing 106 andone or more phased array antennas on the watch band 104.

In embodiments, each phased array antenna 130 a-n includes pluralantenna elements (e.g., antenna elements 15-1, 15-2, . . . , 15-i asshown in FIG. 1) of a phased array antenna system (e.g., phased arrayantenna system 10) that may be used for wireless communication (e.g.,5G) between the accessory 120 and other devices. In embodiments, eachphased array antenna 130 a-n is configured for millimeter wavecommunications at frequencies between about 10 GHz and 300 GHz, and morepreferably between 27 GHz and 39 GHz. The radiating elements in eachphased array antenna 130 a-n may be patch antennas, dipole antennas,Yagi (Yagi-Uda) antennas, or other suitable antenna elements. Millimeterwave transceiver circuitry can be integrated with each phased arrayantenna 130 a-n to form integrated phased array antenna systems andtransceiver circuit modules or packages (sometimes referred to asintegrated antenna modules or antenna modules) if desired.

Each of the phased array antennas 130 a-n may be on an exterior surfaceof the watch, or may be inside a portion of the watch and covered by amaterial that is essentially transparent to RF signals communicated bythe phased array antenna.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a system in accordance with aspects ofthe invention. The system includes the accessory 120 (e.g., the watch asshown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B), an electronic device 140, and an externaldevice 150. The electronic device 140 is representative of a smartphoneor tablet computing device, although implementations of the inventionare not limited to use with these particular examples and instead may beused with other types of mobile electronic devices that utilize wirelesscommunication. The electronic device 140 may include components such ascontrol circuitry 142 (e.g., one or more microprocessors,microcontrollers, digital signal processors, baseband processorintegrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits, etc.),memory 143, battery 144, wireless communication system 145, and an I/Osystem such as touch screen 146, all operatively connected by circuitry147. In embodiments, the accessory 120 communicates locally with theelectronic device 140 as indicated at arrow 141.

The external device 150 is representative of an antenna that is part ofa wireless communication network, in particular an antenna that usesbeam steering and millimeter wave communication. The external device 150may comprise, for example, a phased array antenna that is mounted at afixed location (e.g., on a light pole in a city block), and may be oneof many such phased array antennas that a service provider uses toprovide a 5G wireless communication network for its subscribers. Inembodiments, the accessory 120 communicates with the external device 150as indicated at arrow 151.

Still referring to FIG. 4, in embodiments the accessory 120 is a watchincluding one or more of circuitry 131, control circuitry 132, wirelesscircuitry 133, power source 134, local communication system 135, memory136, sensor 137, and display 138. Circuitry 131 may be used tooperatively connect components within the accessory, and may comprise abus for example. Control circuitry 132 is circuitry that controlsoperation of components of the accessory 120, and may include one ormore microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors,baseband processor integrated circuits, application specific integratedcircuits, etc. Control circuitry 132 may be configured to control theoutput of the display 138. amongst other functions. Wireless circuitry133 may include radio-frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry formed fromone or more integrated circuits, power amplifier circuitry, low-noiseinput amplifiers, passive RF components, one or more antennas,transmission lines, and other circuitry for handling RF wirelesssignals.

Power source 134 may be implemented using any device capable ofproviding energy to the accessory 120. For example, the power source 134may be one or more batteries or rechargeable batteries. Additionally oralternatively, the power source 134 may be a power connector or powercord that connects the accessory 120to another power source, such as awall outlet.

Memory 136 may store electronic data that can be used by the accessory120. For example, the memory 136 may store electrical data or contentsuch as, for example, audio and video files, documents and applications,device settings and user preferences, timing signals, control signals,data structures or databases, or reference sets of features used in abioauthentication, health monitoring, or health assessment operation.The memory 136 can be configured as any type of memory. By way ofexample only, the memory 136 may be implemented as random access memory,read-only memory, Flash memory, removable memory, other types of storageelements, or combinations of such devices.

Sensor 137 may include one or more sensors that are configured to senseone or more type of parameters, such as but not limited to, pressure,light (e.g., a light field), touch, heat, movement, relative motion,biometric data (e.g., biological images or parameters), and so on. Forexample, the sensor(s) 137 may include a heat sensor, a position sensor,a light or optical sensor, an accelerometer, a pressure transducer, agyroscope, a magnetometer, a health monitoring sensor, a light fieldcamera, and so on. Additionally, the sensor(s) 137 can utilize anysuitable sensing technology, including, but not limited to, capacitive,ultrasonic, resistive, optical, light field, ultrasound, piezoelectric,and thermal sensing technology.

Display 138 may include a light-emitting display. As described withrespect to FIG. 3A, in one example, the display 138 and the cover 108may be part of a touch sensitive input-output (I/O) mechanism (e.g., atouch screen display).

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the local communication system 135facilitates local communication between the accessory 120 and theelectronic device 140 as depicted by arrow 141. In a wiredimplementation, the local communication system 135 may comprise a portin the accessory 120, the port receiving a wire that is physicallyconnected to a port of the electronic device 140. In a wirelessimplementation, the local communication system 135 may comprise one ormore antennas that communicate wirelessly with one or more antennas ofthe electronic device 140. Any suitable wireless communication protocolmay be used, non-limiting examples of which include Bluetooth and 60 GHzlocal wireless.

Still referring to the local communication system 135 as shown in FIG.4, in both wired and wireless implementations of the local communicationsystem 135, the phased array antennas 130 a-n are connected to the localcommunication system 135 by the circuitry 131 in the accessory 120. Inthis manner, data that is received by any one of the phased arrayantennas 130 a-n (e.g., via incoming wireless communication from theexternal device 150) may be communicated to the electronic device 140via the circuitry 131 and the local communication system 135. Similarly,data that is to be transmitted by any one of the phased array antennas130 a-n (e.g., via outgoing wireless communication to the externaldevice 150) may be communicated from the electronic device 140 to theaccessory via the local communication system 135. In this manner, thephased array antennas 130 a-n function as antennas for the electronicdevice 140. Because the phased array antennas 130 a-n are configured fortrue 5G communication (e.g., millimeter wave communication atfrequencies between about 10 GHz and 300 GHz using beam steering), theaccessory 120 provides 5G communication functionality to the electronicdevice 140 even if the electronic device 140 is not capable of 5Gcommunication using its own antenna(s). As such, the accessory 120 canbe used to convert a non-5G device to function as a 5G device, whichprovides an immense benefit to non-5G devices operating in a 5Genvironment.

In embodiments, the local communication system 135 is also used tocommunicate data from the electronic device 140 to the accessory 120 foruse in generating an output of the display 138 (e.g., the watchdisplay). In this manner, the accessory 120 may use data stored on theelectronic device 140 in generating an output for the display 138.

In embodiments, the local communication system 135 is also used tocommunicate audio data from the electronic device 140 to the accessory120 for playing via a loudspeaker of the accessory 120. In this manner,the accessory 120 may play music or other audio that is stored on theelectronic device 140.

As described herein, the accessory 120 may contain plural phased arrayantennas 130 a-n, each of which is configured to communicate with theexternal device 150 using beam steering as indicated at arrow 151.Plural ones of the phased array antennas 130 a-n may be used together orone of the antennas may be switched into use while other antenna(s) areswitched out of use. If desired, the control circuitry 132 may be usedto select an optimum antenna to use in the accessory 120 in real timeand/or to select an optimum setting for adjustable wireless circuitryassociated with one or more of antennas. For example, if one of thephased array antennas 130 a-n does not face or have a line of sight tothe external device 150, then another one of phased array antennas 130a-n that has line of sight to the external device may be switched intouse and that phased array antenna may use beam steering to optimizewireless performance. Antenna adjustments may be made to tune antennasto perform in desired frequency ranges, to perform beam steering with aphased antenna array, and to otherwise optimize antenna performance.Sensors may be incorporated into antennas to gather sensor data in realtime that is used in adjusting antennas if desired.

In embodiments, the power source 134 (e.g., battery) in the accessory120 is used to power the phased array antennas 130 a-n and the wirelesscircuitry 133 in the accessory 120. In this manner, when the accessory120 is acting as the antenna for the electronic device 140, theelectronic device 140 is not using its own battery to power wirelesscommunication to an external device (other than the local communicationbetween the electronic device 140 and the accessory 120). As a result,using the accessory 120 can reduce the power used by the electronicdevice 140, thereby resulting in longer battery life per battery chargefor the electronic device 140. The total power consumption of the systemmay be further reduced when using a phased array antenna on theaccessory 120 that has a better SNR than the antenna on the electronicdevice 140.

Transmission line paths may be used to route antenna signals within theaccessory 120. For example, transmission line paths may be used tocouple antennas to transceiver circuitry. Transmission line paths in theaccessory 120 may include coaxial cable paths, microstrip transmissionlines, stripline transmission lines, edge-coupled microstriptransmission lines, edge-coupled stripline transmission lines, waveguidestructures for conveying signals at millimeter wave frequencies (e.g.,coplanar waveguides or grounded coplanar waveguides), transmission linesformed from combinations of transmission lines of these types, etc.

Transmission line paths in the accessory 120 may be integrated intorigid and/or flexible printed circuit boards if desired. In one suitablearrangement, transmission line paths in the accessory 120 may includetransmission line conductors (e.g., signal and/or ground conductors)that are integrated within multilayer laminated structures (e.g., layersof a conductive material such as copper and a dielectric material suchas a resin that are laminated together without intervening adhesive)that may be folded or bent in multiple dimensions (e.g., two or threedimensions) and that maintain a bent or folded shape after bending(e.g., the multilayer laminated structures may be folded into aparticular three-dimensional shape to route around other devicecomponents and may be rigid enough to hold its shape after foldingwithout being held in place by stiffeners or other structures). All ofthe multiple layers of the laminated structures may be batch laminatedtogether (e.g., in a single pressing process) without adhesive (e.g., asopposed to performing multiple pressing processes to laminate multiplelayers together with adhesive). Filter circuitry, switching circuitry,impedance matching circuitry, and other circuitry may be interposedwithin the transmission lines, if desired.

FIG. 5 illustrates another implementation of the accessory 120 inaccordance with aspects of the invention. The accessory 120 and theexternal device 150 in FIG. 5 are the same as those described withrespect to FIG. 4. The electronic device 140′ in FIG. 5 has the samecomponents as that of electronic device 140 of FIG. 4, and additionallyincludes at least one phased array antenna 148 that is configured tocommunicate with the external device 150 using millimeter wavefrequencies and beam steering as indicated at arrow 152. Thus, in theimplementation shown in FIG. 5, each of the accessory 120 and theelectronic device 140′ include at least one phased array antenna that isconfigured to communicate with the external device 150 using millimeterwave frequencies and beam steering, whereas in the implementation shownin FIG. 4 only the accessory 120 has such capability (i.e., since theelectronic device 140 of FIG. 4 does not include a phased arrayantenna).

In embodiments, the control circuitry of the accessory 120 and thecontrol circuitry of the electronic device 140′ cooperate to determinean optimum antenna from the group including the phased array antennas130 a-n on the accessory 120 and the phased array antenna 148 on theelectronic device 140′. In embodiments, the control circuitry determinesan optimum antenna by determining which of the plural different phasedarray antennas (i.e., including the phased array antennas 130 a-n on theaccessory 120 and the phased array antenna 148 on the electronic device140′) currently has a best signal to the external device 150. Inembodiments, the control circuitry determines which of the pluraldifferent phased array antennas has the best signal to the externaldevice based on comparing transmit-receive conditions of the pluraldifferent phased array antennas. In embodiments, the transmit-receiveconditions used in the comparison may include at least one of: strengthof signal between the accessory and the external device for eachrespective one of the plural different phased array antennas; and signalto noise ratio for each respective one of the plural different phasedarray antennas. Based on comparing the transmit-receive conditions ofthe plural different phased array antennas, the control circuitry deemsone of the plural different phased array antennas as having the bestsignal to the external device.

In embodiments, after determining the one of the plural different phasedarray antennas as having the best signal to the external device 150, thecontrol circuitry uses that determined antenna to communicate with theexternal device and switches out of use the other ones of the pluraldifferent phased array antennas. The control circuitry repeats thisdetermining an optimum antenna on a frequent basis, and in this mannerthe system can operate to change in real time which antenna is used tocommunicate with the external device 150.

An exemplary use case is now described to illustrate this functionality.In the use case, a user is wearing the accessory (watch) 120 on theirhead and holding the electronic device (smartphone) 140′ in their hand.As the user walks along a sidewalk at a first time, the controlcircuitry of the accessory 120 and that of the electronic device 140′make a first determination that antenna 130 b (on the accessory 120) iscurrently the optimum antenna. Based on this first determination, thecontrol circuitry of the accessory 120 uses antenna 130 b to communicatewith the external device 150. Also based on this first determination,the control circuitry of the accessory 120 does not use the otherantennas 130 a, 130 c, and 130 n on the accessory 120 to communicatewith the external device 150. Also based on this first determination,the control circuitry of the electronic device 140′ does not use theantenna 148 on the electronic device 140′ to communicate with theexternal device 150.

Still referring to the exemplary use case, as the user continues to walkalong the sidewalk at a second time after the first time, the controlcircuitry of the accessory 120 and that of the electronic device 140′make a second determination that antenna 148 (on the electronic device140′) is currently the optimum antenna. This change might occur, forexample, because the user's position relative to the external device 150has changed, such that the antenna 148 now has a better line of sight tothe external device 150 compared to the other antennas 130 a-n. Based onthis second determination, the control circuitry of the electronicdevice 140′ uses antenna 148 to communicate with the external device150. Also based on this second determination, the control circuitry ofthe accessory 120 does not use the other antennas 130 a, 130 b, 130 c,and 130 n on the accessory 120 to communicate with the external device150.

In embodiments, when determining an optimum antenna to use as describedwith respect to FIG. 5, the control circuitry of the accessory 120 andthe control circuitry of the electronic device 140′ cooperate to makethe determination. In embodiments, this determining involves handshakingbetween the control circuitry of the accessory 120 and the controlcircuitry of the electronic device 140′ (and one or more other devicesas described above, when applicable). In one example of suchhandshaking, the control circuitry of one of the devices (e.g., theaccessory 120 or the electronic device 140′) periodically interrogatesthe control circuitry of the other one of the devices (e.g., the otherone of accessory 120 or the electronic device 140′) to gather real timeinformation about the performance of all available antennas (e.g.,antennas 130 a-n and antenna 148). In one example, the control circuitryof the accessory 120 determines transmit-receive conditions of theantennas 130 a-n on the accessory 120, and the control circuitry of theelectronic device 140′ determines transmit-receive conditions of theantenna 148 on the electronic device 140′. In this example, the controlcircuitry of the accessory 120 transmits the determined transmit-receiveconditions of the antennas 130 a-n to the electronic device 140′, andthe control circuitry of the electronic device 140′ compares all thedata to make the determination of the optimum antenna. The controlcircuitry of the electronic device 140′ then transmits a control signalto the accessory 120 that instructs the accessory to use or not usecertain ones of the antennas 130 a-n based on the determination. This isbut one example, and other cooperative arrangements may be used.

In another example, the control circuitry of the accessory 120determines transmit-receive conditions of the antennas 130 a-n on theaccessory 120, and the control circuitry of the electronic device 140′determines transmit-receive conditions of the antenna 148 on theelectronic device 140′. In this example, the control circuitry of theelectronic device 140′ transmits the determined transmit-receiveconditions of the antenna 148 to the accessory 120, and the controlcircuitry of the accessory 120 compares all the data to make thedetermination of the optimum antenna. The control circuitry of theaccessory 120 then transmits a control signal to the electronic device140′ that instructs the electronic device 140′ to use or not use theantenna 148 based on the determination. This is but one example, andother cooperative arrangements may be used.

This aspect is not limited to two devices and instead may be implementedwith more than two devices. For example, a user may utilize theaccessory 120, the electronic device 140′, and at least one other device(such as headphones or an augmented reality headset) that also has oneor more phased array antennas. Accordingly, in further embodiments, thecontrol circuitry (e.g., of the accessory 120 and/or the electronicdevice 140′) may utilize the techniques described above to determine anoptimum antenna from the group including: (i) the phased array antennas130 a-n on the accessory 120; (ii) the phased array antenna 148 on theelectronic device 140′; and (iii) one or more phased array antennas onone or more other devices communicating with the electronic device 140′.In this scenario, the control circuitry determines an optimum antenna bydetermining which of the plural different phased array antennas (i.e.,including the phased array antennas 130 a-n on the accessory 120, thephased array antenna 148 on the electronic device 140′, and the one ormore phased array antennas on one or more other devices) currently has abest signal to the external device 150. Based on comparing thetransmit-receive conditions of the plural different phased arrayantennas, the control circuitry deems one of the plural different phasedarray antennas as having the best signal to the external device, andtransmits control signals to the various devices to enable and disableother ones of the phased array antennas based on this determination. Thecontrol circuitry repeats this determining an optimum antenna on afrequent basis, and in this manner the system can operate to change inreal time which antenna is used to communicate with the external device150.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, according to aspects of theinvention, signals transmitted from two of the plural different phasedarray antennas (i.e., including the phased array antennas 130 a-n on theaccessory 120 and the phased array antenna 148 on the electronic device140′) are constructively combined at the external device 150.Constructively combining the signals from two different ones of theantennas operates to boost the effectiveness of the transmissions sincethe combined signals have a higher effective SNR than eithertransmitting antenna alone.

In an exemplary use case, consider antenna 130 a on accessory 120 to besource M1 and antenna 148 on electronic device 140′ to be source M2. Ina first step, the phases of the signals transmitted from M1 and M2 areadjusted such that the signals combine constructively at external device150. In one example, a constant phase offset is added to all the phaseshifters in either M1 or M2 that allows test signals (e.g., purelysinusoidal signals) to combine constructively at the external device150. This adjustment of phase is made with a handshaking protocol withthe external device 150 such that the phase offset (P1) is applied tothe elements in the phased array (e.g., from 0-180 degrees). The P1value is adjusted until the combined signal at the external device 150is maximized. The P1 value is transmitted to the external device 150 aswell during the handshaking protocol. In this example, the sources M1and M2 concurrently transmit the test signal to the external device 150,with one of the sources (M1 or M2) applying the phase offset P1 througha range of values of P1. During these transmissions, the external device150 determines a magnitude of the combined test signal for eachdifferent value of P1. After the transmission has swept through therange of values for P1, the external device 150 then sends back the P1value that maximized the combined test signal.

In this example, after determining the value of P1 that maximized thecombined test signal, the system determines a relative time delay T1 ofthe test signals. In this manner, a baseband/digital data signal to betransmitted is distributed from M2 to M1 or from M1 to M2. In oneexample, a test digital signal (e.g., a sequence of saw tooth patternsand steps of various duty cycles) is used on repeat. The test signal isapplied after P1 is determined, then the relative time delay (T1) of thetest signals is adjusted until the signal received at the externaldevice 150 is maximized and the digital reception of the known testsignal is faithfully reproduced from the combined signals at theexternal device 150.

In embodiments, a handshaking protocol is used to determine P1 and T1.Alternatively, values of P2 and T2 may be determined. It is noted thatthis use case is an example, and other techniques may be used todetermine transmission characteristics of M1 and M2 that result in anoptimum constructive interference at the external device 150.

This aspect is not limited to two devices and instead may be implementedwith more than two devices. For example, a user may utilize theaccessory 120, the electronic device 140′, and at least one other device(such as headphones or an augmented reality headset) that also has oneor more phased array antennas. Accordingly, in further embodiments, thecontrol circuitry (e.g., of the accessory 120 and/or the electronicdevice 140′) may utilize the techniques described above toconstructively combine the signals from plural different antennasselected from the group including: (i) the phased array antennas 130 a-non the accessory 120; (ii) the phased array antenna 148 on theelectronic device 140′; and (iii) one or more phased array antennas onone or more other devices communicating with the electronic device 140′,in order to boost the effectiveness of the transmissions since thecombined signals have a higher effective SNR than any single one of thetransmitting antennas alone.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method in accordance withaspects of the invention. The steps of the method are described usingreference numbers of elements described herein when appropriate.

At step 620, the control circuitry determines an optimum phased arrayantenna with a best signal to the external device 150 with which thedevice is communicating. In embodiments, the determination at step 620takes into account all of the phased array antennas in the systemincluding the phased array antennas 130 a-n on the accessory 120 and thephased array antenna 148 on the device 140′.

In embodiments, the control circuitry determines which of the pluraldifferent phased array antennas has the best signal to the externaldevice based on comparing transmit-receive conditions of the pluraldifferent phased array antennas. In embodiments, the transmit-receiveconditions used in the comparison may include at least one of: strengthof signal between the accessory and the external device for eachrespective one of the plural different phased array antennas; and signalto noise ratio for each respective one of the plural different phasedarray antennas. Based on comparing the transmit-receive conditions ofthe plural different phased array antennas, the control circuitry deemsone of the plural different phased array antennas as having the bestsignal to the external device.

In some embodiments, and as described with respect to FIG. 5, step 620includes the control circuitry of the accessory 120 determiningtransmit-receive conditions of the antennas 130 a-n on the accessory120, and the control circuitry of the electronic device 140′ determinestransmit-receive conditions of the antenna 148 on the electronic device140′. In this example, the control circuitry of the accessory 120transmits the determined transmit-receive conditions of the antennas 130a-n to the electronic device 140′, and the control circuitry of theelectronic device 140′ compares all the data to make the determinationof the optimum antenna. In other embodiments, as described with respectto FIG. 5, the roles are reversed such that the control circuitry of theaccessory 120 compares all the data to make the determination of theoptimum antenna.

At step 625, the control circuitry uses the determined phased arrayantenna, as determined at step 620, to communicate with the externaldevice. In embodiments, step 625 comprises the control circuitry causingthe determined phased array antenna to transmit signals to and/orreceive signals from the external device, e.g., using millimeter wavesignals such as 5G signals. In embodiments, step 625 comprises thecontrol circuitry determining an optimal direction (e.g., similar todirection A shown in FIG. 1), and controls the determined phased arrayantenna to form a beam in the determined optimal direction (e.g., asdescribed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2) to facilitate wirelesscommunication with the external device.

In some embodiments, and as described with respect to FIG. 5, step 625includes the control circuitry of the electronic device 140′transmitting a control signal to the accessory 120 that instructs theaccessory to use or not use certain ones of the antennas 130 a-n basedon the determination of step 620. In other embodiments, as describedwith respect to FIG. 5, the roles are reversed such that the controlcircuitry of the accessory 120 transmits a control signal to theelectronic device 140′.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method in accordance withaspects of the invention. The steps of the method are described usingreference numbers of elements described herein when appropriate.

At step 715, the system determines a respective optimal beam directionfor each phased array antenna to an external device. In embodiments, andwith reference to the example shown in FIG. 5, the system determines anoptimum direction A1 of a beam of a phased array antenna M1 on accessory120 to an external device 150, and also determines an optimum directionA2 of a beam of a phased array antenna M2 on the electronic device 140′to an external device 150. The beam direction may be determined bycontrol circuitry in the respective devices, e.g., in a manner similarto that described with respect to beam direction A of FIG. 1 and controlcircuit 35 of FIG. 2.

At step 720, the system determines an optimum phase offset between twotransmitting antennas. In embodiments, and as described with respect toFIG. 5, a phased array antenna M1 on accessory 120 and a phased arrayantenna M2 on the electronic device 140′ each transmit a test signal tothe external device 150, using their respective beam directions A1 andA2 as determined at step 715. While both antennas are transmitting thetest signal, one of the antennas applies a phase offset to ittransmission, the phase offset being iteratively applied through a rangeof values (e.g., 0 to 180 degrees). The external device 150 receives thetransmission from each antenna M1 and M2 and determines a combinedsignal strength that results from constructive interference for eachvalue of phase offset P1, and from this determines a single value ofphase offset P1 that results in the best combined signal strength of thetest signal.

At step 725, the system determines an optimum time delay between thesame two transmitting antennas. In embodiments, and as described withrespect to FIG. 5, the phased array antenna M1 on accessory 120 and thephased array antenna M2 on the electronic device 140′ each transmit atest digital signal to the same external device 150. While both antennasare transmitting the test digital signal with the phase offset P1determined at step 720, the system iteratively adjusts a relative timedelay T1 between the test digital signals. The external device 150receives the transmission from each antenna M1 and M2 and determines acombined signal strength that results from constructive interference foreach value of relative time delay T1, and from this determines a singlevalue of relative time delay T1 that results in the best combined signalstrength of the test digital signal.

At step 730, the antennas transmit to the external device using theoptimum phase offset and the optimum relative time delay. In thismanner, the phased array antenna M1 on accessory 120 and the phasedarray antenna M2 on the electronic device 140′ each transmit a signal toan external device 150 using the optimum phase offset (determined at720) and the optimum relative time delay (determined at step 725). Inthis manner, the antennas M1 and M2 transmit using a phase offset and arelative time delay that results in an optimum constructive interferenceat the external device.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method in accordance withaspects of the invention. The steps of the method are described usingreference numbers of elements described herein when appropriate.

At step 815, the system determines a respective optimal beam directionfor each phased array antenna to an external device. In embodiments, andwith reference to the example shown in FIG. 5, the system determines anoptimum direction A1 of a beam of a phased array antenna M1 on accessory120 to an external device 150, and also determines an optimum directionA2 of a beam of a phased array antenna M2 on the electronic device 140′to an external device 150. The beam direction may be determined bycontrol circuitry in the respective devices, e.g., in a manner similarto that described with respect to beam direction A of FIG. 1 and controlcircuit 35 of FIG. 2.

At step 815, the antennas M1 and M2 may both be communicating with asame external device (e.g., device 150), or each antenna M1 and M2 maybe communicating with a different external devices (e.g., differentinstances of device 150). For example, antenna M1 may be communicatingwith a first instance of device 150 that is mounted on a building, andantenna M2 may be communicating with a second instance of device 150that is mounted on a tower.

At step 815, the antennas M1 and M2 may both be communicating with theexternal device(s) 150 using different frequencies. For example, antennaM1 may be communicating with an external device at a first frequency F1,and antenna M2 may be communicating with the same or a differentexternal device at a second frequency F2 that is different than thefirst frequency F1.

At step 820, each antenna M1 and M2 receives data from the externaldevice for which the beam direction was determined at step 815. Inembodiments, step 820 involves the antennas M1 and M2 using millimeterwave communication and beam forming along the determined directions A1and A2.

At step 825, one of the devices transmits the data it received at step820 to the other one of the devices. In embodiments, one of the devices(e.g., one of accessory 120 and electronic device 140′) transmits thedata it received at step 820 to the other one of the devices (e.g., theother one of one of accessory 120 and electronic device 140′). Inembodiments, the data transfer at step 825 is performed using a highspeed local communication protocol, such as Bluetooth, 60 GHz localwireless, etc.

At step 830, the device that received data from the other device at step825 uses the received data in conjunction with the data that this devicereceived at step 820. For example, if step 825 involves accessory 120sending its data to electronic device 140′, then at step 830 theelectronic device 140′ uses the data it received at step 820 (from itsrespective external device) in conjunction with the data it received atstep 825 (from the accessory 120). In another example, the roles arereversed. In this manner, the two devices (accessory 120 and electronicdevice 140′) function as plural conduits for obtaining data that is usedby a single one of the devices (accessory 120 or electronic device140′). As used herein, using the data in conjunction may include, forexample and without limitation, combining the data (e.g., for streaming,to re-build a file or object, etc.), using the data for two differentapps running concurrently, etc.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosurehave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An accessory for an electronic device, theaccessory comprising: a watch comprising a housing and a band connectedto the housing; at least one phased array antenna on the watch, the atleast one phased array antenna comprising an array of antenna elementsthat are configured to form a beam in a determined direction, the atleast one phased array antenna being configured to communicatewirelessly with an external device; a local communication system in thewatch, the local communication system configured to communicate locallywith the electronic device; and a battery in the watch, the batteryoperatively connected to each of the at least one phased array antennaand the local communication system.
 2. The accessory of claim 1, whereinthe watch comprises a touch screen display.
 3. The accessory of claim 2,wherein the at least one phased array antenna communicates wirelesslywith the external device on behalf of the electronic device.
 4. Theaccessory of claim 2, wherein: the local communication system receivesdata from the electronic device; and the at least one phased arrayantenna communicates the data to the external device using millimeterwave frequency communication and beam steering.
 5. The accessory ofclaim 2, wherein: the at least one phased array antenna receives thedata from the external device using millimeter wave frequencycommunication and beam steering; and the local communication systemtransmits the data to the electronic device.
 6. The accessory of claim2, wherein the local communication system utilizes a wired connectionbetween the watch and the electronic device.
 7. The accessory of claim2, wherein the local communication system utilizes wirelesscommunication between the watch and the electronic device.
 8. Theaccessory of claim 7, wherein the wireless communication is 60 GHz localwireless.
 9. The accessory of claim 2, wherein the at least one phasedarray antenna comprises plural phased array antennas.
 10. The accessoryof claim 9, wherein the plural phased array antennas are on pluraldifferent surfaces of the watch facing in plural different directions.11. The accessory of claim 9, wherein control circuitry in the watchdetermines an optimum one of the plural phased array antennas and usesthe determined optimum one of the plural phased array antennas tocommunicate with the external device.
 12. The accessory of claim 11,wherein the control circuitry in the watch does not use other ones ofthe plural phased array antennas to communicate with the external devicewhile using the determined optimum one of the plural phased arrayantennas to communicate with the external device.
 13. The accessory ofclaim 2, wherein the at least one phased array antenna comprises: atleast one first phased array antenna at the housing; and at least onefirst phased array antenna at the band.
 14. The accessory of claim 2,wherein the at least one phased array antenna operates between 27 GHzand 39 GHz.
 15. The accessory of claim 2, wherein the at least onephased array antenna comprises plural phased array antennas on the bandfacing in different directions outward relative to the band.
 16. Theaccessory of claim 2, wherein the at least one phased array antenna isinside a portion of the watch and is covered by a material that isessentially transparent to RF signals communicated by the at least onephased array antenna.
 17. The accessory of claim 2, wherein the batteryin the watch powers the at least one phased array antenna while the atleast one phased array antenna communicates wirelessly with the externaldevice on behalf of the electronic device, thereby permitting theelectronic device reduce its own power consumption by not using its ownantenna to communicate wirelessly with the external device.
 18. A methodof using the accessory of claim 1, the method comprising determining anoptimum phased array antenna for communication with the external device,wherein the optimum phased array antenna is determined from a set ofantennas including: the at least one phased array antenna on the watch,and at least one other phased array antenna on the electronic device.19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: using the determinedoptimum phased array antenna to communicate with the external device;and not using any other phased array antennas included in the set ofantennas to communicate with the external device while using thedetermined optimum phased array antenna to communicate with the externaldevice.
 20. A method of using the accessory of claim 1, the methodcomprising using first data in conjunction with second data, the firstdata being received via the at least one phased array antenna on thewatch communicating with the external device using a first determinedbeam direction, and the second data being received via at least oneother phased array antenna on the electronic device communicating withthe external device, or another external device, using a seconddetermined beam direction.